Upon logging in to their accounts last Jan. 19, LinkedIn users in a number of regions got a very pleasant surprise because the website's user interface got a massive facelift. Gone were the clutter, as the platform is now rocking new navigation tools, new feed presentation, and optimized performance, among other new features.
Overhauled LinkedIn Platform
In a blog post, LinkedIn claimed that the changes were made from the ground up, and those were largely attributed to the goal of simplifying user experience within the platform and the usage transition from desktop to mobile devices.
LinkedIn cited that the other key motivation for its overhaul involves the goal to focus on more content so that users are more likely to engage in conversation, share ideas, and join discussions.
So all the new enhancements such as the streamlined navigation system, a dedicated messaging tool, better search feature, as well as insights and suggestions to user feeds work to realize the cited objectives.
Overall, this is the most comprehensive change undertaken by the company since its foundation and have closely followed the Microsoft takeover.
More Professional Look
Sources will probably note that the new look is more professional than ever, and they will be correct. The font used, layout, color palettes, and orderly vibe are very much business-like.
There is also the fact that the presentation is more reminiscent of design languages used for applications. This makes sense because LinkedIn is not only intent on ensuring that the desktop and mobile versions work together, but also the design itself has been purportedly inspired by LinkedIn's mobile app itself.
Facebook-Like Features
On the other hand, it is also quite hard to look at LinkedIn's new visual style and not think about Facebook, which for its part is also increasingly challenging the company in its own turf. Without the eye-popping color scheme and richer media contents that one finds in the social media's news feed, the design concept and elements are similar.
There is the main navigation on top, profile details lumped to the left side bar, and new contents are published in cards. Even the menu elements for each of these cards closely resemble those found in Facebook's newsfeed.
There are, however, some differences. For example, there is the contextual messaging system, wherein LinkedIn can actively push users to take action such as how it can prod a user to message a LinkedIn contact who is an employee of a company that the user has just browsed. Some observers are calling this feature chatbots.
It appears that some features have staggered release. Some sources are already reporting usage of the Messaging Overlay function where the messaging card floats on the website. LinkedIn has already cited this in its announcement.
"With our new real-time messaging interface, you can message a connection wherever you are on LinkedIn," Chris Pruett, director of engineering at LinkedIn, said. "We'll also start serving up insights across the site to help you break the ice in any conversation and connect you to your next opportunity."
This has not yet materialized in this author's LinkedIn profile.
